For the price point-$400, I have found the SS Otello a very nice performing cart on my VPI.
I used it as a back up for my 5X the price MC. Very nice mids, which may be address your requirements, as a Classical listener.
The only downside is no depth charge bass performance, which isn't a Classical music necessity. The cannons on the 1812 will just be a little softer.
The SS website notes this deficit about the Otello.
An all around budget MC is the Audio Technica OC9.
https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATC01.html
For the price, it may be the "best?"
I used it as a back up for my 5X the price MC. Very nice mids, which may be address your requirements, as a Classical listener.
The only downside is no depth charge bass performance, which isn't a Classical music necessity. The cannons on the 1812 will just be a little softer.
The SS website notes this deficit about the Otello.
An all around budget MC is the Audio Technica OC9.
https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATC01.html
For the price, it may be the "best?"